Aico selected as key solutions supplier to UK Fire and Rescue Service

The West Midlands Fire Service Framework will facilitate the procurement of fire and carbon monoxide alarms for all UK Fire and Rescue Services in a move pointing towards the standardisation of requirements as outlined in regulations. As part of its key supplier status, Aico will provide smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms, including its ‘total protection’ alarms.

Paul Cartwright, Aico’s national accounts manager, explained: “It’s fantastic that we can now offer the same level of support and the same quality product to our Fire and Rescue Services and underpin their safety work with the general public. We aim to be the foremost supplier to the Fire and Rescue Service moving forward and, as such, we fully intend to bring a level of support to the contract that has never been seen before.”

Cartwright continued: “When safe to do so, we will be making our team of 23 regional specification managers and four mobile training units available for use by the Fire and Rescue Service, offering free Fire Industry Association (FIA)-approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training to any service employees. The mobile units can also be used for awareness and engagement events where and when needed.”

Further, Cartwright informed Fire Safety Matters: “Every product Aico supplies to the contract will be individually tested at least four times before leaving our factory in Ireland, ensuring that every alarm works as designed and that they will sit on the ceiling silently protecting building occupants for a full ten years.”

In conclusion, Cartwright commented: “Our SmartLINK system has been adopted by over 100 social landlords across the UK and we’re very pleased that the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service has extended the Framework to provide for future technology. SmartLINK is now available through the Framework for the Fire and Rescue Service to deliver additional protection for the most vulnerable in society, providing a simple GSM Gateway-connected system for occupants as well as their families and carers.”

This opportunity comes in the wake of a new campaign by Aico to increase support to the Fire and Rescue Service across the UK. The campaign launched in September last year with the focus on offering increased support to each of the 52 Fire and Rescue Services operational in the UK through the provision of Aico’s FIA-approved CPD training based on BS 5839-6:2019, the use of Aico’s mobile training and demonstration units and access to office space at its Centre of Excellence, as well as homeowner and tenant safety packs.

Neal Hooper, Aico’s managing director, commented: “For us, it’s not just about alarms. One of our core values is creating safer communities. That’s why we’ve decided to increase our support for the Fire and Rescue Service. We already have strong partnerships with several Fire and Rescue Services around the UK, but felt that we could be doing more.”